Shokz
Openfit Pro
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. This does not influence our editorial recommendations. Learn more about how we make money
Clara’s Verdict
Very GoodGreat-sounding open earbuds that let you hear the world around you, but the noise reduction is just okay and they're pricey.
Best for: runners and cyclists, commuters who want awareness, people who dislike in-ear designs, anyone prioritizing comfort
Skip if: noise cancellation seekers, budget shoppers, people in very loud environments
Ethan’s Verdict
Very GoodStrong sound and comfort for open-ear buds, but noise reduction is underwhelming and the $180 price tags you against much better alternatives.
Best for: runners and cyclists who need situational awareness, users committed to open-ear design, those prioritizing call quality
Skip if: anyone needing actual noise cancellation, budget-conscious buyers, commuters in loud environments
Clara’s Pros & Cons
- +Sound quality is genuinely impressive for open earbuds
- +Super comfortable for long wearing sessions
- +Excellent call quality with clear voice
- +Stays secure during workouts and running
- −Noise reduction is underwhelming, not true ANC
- −Battery cuts in half when using noise reduction
- −Price is high compared to cheaper alternatives
- −Bulky fit if you wear glasses
Ethan’s Pros & Cons
- +Best-sounding open-ear buds with punchier bass and clear detail
- +Excellent call quality with clear voice transmission
- +Comfortable for extended wear and secure during workouts
- +Strong battery life without noise reduction enabled
- −Noise reduction barely works and halves battery life
- −Bulky fit problematic for glasses wearers
- −Large charging case hurts portability
- −Overpriced versus cheaper predecessors with similar sound
Score Breakdown
Sound Quality8.525% wt
Comfort & Fit8.025% wt
Battery & Connectivity7.515% wt
Build Quality8.015% wt
Features & Controls7.510% wt
Noise Cancellation6.55% wt
Value6.55% wt
Score Breakdown
Sound Quality8.025% wt
Comfort & Fit7.015% wt
Battery & Connectivity8.015% wt
Build Quality7.512% wt
Features & Controls7.515% wt
Noise Cancellation5.512% wt
Value6.56% wt
Clara’s Full Review
The Real Talk on Shokz OpenFit Pro
If you love the idea of earbuds that let you hear traffic, your kids, or your surroundings while listening to music, these are genuinely great. They're probably the best open-ear option out there right now.
The sound quality is what really impressed reviewers. You get punchier bass than you'd expect from open earbuds, clear mids, and good detail. Dolby Atmos with head tracking adds a nice spatial layer. The dual-diaphragm drivers make a real difference. For runners, cyclists, and commuters, this is a huge upgrade from tinny-sounding open earbuds of the past.
Comfort is excellent. The soft silicone hooks fit securely, and reviewers wore them for hours without issues. They stayed put during intense workouts. The only catch is if you wear glasses, the hooks feel a bit bulky around your ears.
Here's where I need to be honest though: the noise reduction is just okay. It softens background noise rather than blocking it. In a cafe, it helps. On a busy street in New York? Not so much. If you're expecting AirPods Pro-level noise cancellation, you'll be disappointed. This is more like a volume dial than actual ANC. And it cuts your battery from 12 hours down to 6 hours, which is a big trade-off.
Call quality is excellent though. Reviewers said voices sounded clear and natural, with good background noise elimination on your end. That's a win if you take a lot of calls.
The $180 price tag feels steep when you consider the OpenFit 2+ costs $100 less and sounds almost as good. You're really paying for the noise reduction and Dolby Atmos, and if those features don't matter to you, save the money. But if you want the best-sounding open earbuds and don't need true noise cancellation, these deliver.
Battery is solid at 12 hours without noise reduction. The case is bulky compared to AirPods Pro, but it gives you 50 hours total.
Bottom line: these are for people who've decided they want open earbuds and want the best version of that. They're not a replacement for noise-canceling earbuds, but they're the gold standard in their category.
Ethan’s Full Review
The Open-Ear Paradox: Good Earbuds, Wrong Price
Shokz has built legitimately impressive open-ear earbuds with the OpenFit Pro. The dual-diaphragm drivers deliver punchier bass and more detail than previous iterations, and the Dolby Atmos implementation with head tracking actually enhances the listening experience without degrading sound quality. For runners, cyclists, and pedestrians who need to hear their surroundings, this is compelling audio hardware.
But here's the problem: the product's core selling point, its noise reduction feature, doesn't work.
Every major reviewer uses nearly identical language. The Verge noted the difference is "noticeable" when you crank the setting to maximum. CNET said it "tones down" background noise rather than eliminating it. Tom's Guide called it "disappointing." Wired reported a "sucking" sensation that caused discomfort. This isn't a feature that delivers value, it's a feature that drains your battery by 50% for minimal real-world benefit.
In moderately loud environments like coffee shops, the noise reduction works adequately. On a busy street or in a gym, it's nearly useless. This matters because Shokz is charging $180 for these buds, positioning them against the AirPods Pro and other true ANC earbuds. You're not getting ANC performance. You're getting open-ear buds with a gimmick that doesn't justify its existence.
The comfort story is mixed. The soft silicone hooks and flexible security rings work well during workouts, and reviewers consistently praised stability during runs and HIIT sessions. But the bulky design creates noticeable contact points over extended wear, and anyone wearing glasses will struggle with fit. The charging case is also oversized for a product marketed to active users, making it less convenient to pocket than the AirPods Pro.
Where the OpenFit Pro genuinely excels is call quality. The microphone array eliminates background noise effectively, and callers reported clear, natural voice transmission. This is a legitimate strength and differentiates the product from competitors.
The business case falls apart when you consider pricing. The Shokz OpenFit 2+ delivers 80% of this sound quality for $80 less. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds offer smoother head tracking and better spatial audio, though with weaker call quality. At $180, the OpenFit Pro is caught between two markets: it's not aggressive enough on price for budget buyers, and it can't match true ANC earbuds for users willing to spend premium dollars.
These are good earbuds. The sound is impressive for the form factor, the build quality is solid, and the call performance is excellent. But good earbuds at the wrong price are just expensive mistakes. You're paying flagship pricing for open-ear compromises.
Specifications
| weight | 30g |
| battery life | 10 hours |
| bluetooth version | 5.2 |
Overall Rating
Related Reviews
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Sennheiser Momentum 4
Which premium ANC headphones win? We compare Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Sennheiser Momentum 4 across noise cancellation, sound, and value.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM5
AirPods Pro 3, Galaxy Buds4 Pro, or Sony WF-1000XM5? We compare the top premium earbuds on ANC, sound quality, fit, and value to find the definitive winner.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5 vs LinkBuds Fit: Which Wins?
Apple AirPods Pro 3 take on Sony's best earbuds. We compare sound, ANC, fit, and value to crown the definitive winner for 2025.
Alternatives Worth Considering
Review History
Initial review from real source data
Initial review from real source data
Editorial Independence
Our reviews are based on research from trusted expert sources. We may earn commissions from affiliate links, but this never influences our ratings or recommendations. How we score · Editorial policy · Report an error
Related Headphones & Earbuds
AppleDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
AirPods Pro 2
Lowest Price Vendor Auto-Selected
Lowest Price Vendor Auto-Selected